By james art 
A funeral took place on Saturday morning to honor the lives of two ice skaters in Delaware, their mothers and their coach after being killed in the tragic collision in the middle of the air last month near Washington, Colombia County, County Columbia County
Family, friends and the community gathered at Fred Rust Arena at the University of Delaware to give their respect to 11-year-old Sean Kay, his mother Yulia Kay, 12-year-old Angela Yang, her mother Zhechen Li and Alexander Sasha “Kirsanov, skaters coach and former UD figure skating coach.
The service took place from 8am until noon and was open to the public. The victims’ families then had a private funeral after the Gracelaun Memorial Park.
“It was such a tragedy. We lost such bright lights and talent in our area. When this happens, the whole community feels it. It is important to be here for families. It is important to show how much they were loved and will be missed, “Deluer Senator Stephanie Hansen told the NBC10.
Jeffrey Nolt, a figure skating coach, visited Baltimore to attend the funeral that shares his condolences and his own memories with Sasha.
“He would go down a few days a week and I respected him a lot. He was a good man, he worked very hard, a great skater, great ankles and knees and just an exceptional skater. Very professional, good dad, a good husband, you just did the right one Things, you know, “Nolt said.
According to officials, all 67 people aboard an American eagle flight from Kansas and an army helicopter were killed in a clash over the Potomak River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 29, 2025.
Among the passengers on flight were elite appearing skaters who returned from a training camp at Wichita, members of the union and relatives.
The deadly catastrophe in the middle of the air over Washington affects people across the country, including many of the Philadelphia region. Deanna Durante from the NBC10 visits a local skate club and talks to members about the loss of so many young figure skaters.